Chapter 43 MATTY
MATTY
“They’re late,” I muttered. I tapped my boot against the packed earth, nerves skittering like ants under my skin. Hudson wasn’t the kind of man to be late. Not for work. Not for Ivy. And certainly not for this.
Dad, standing beside me with his usual calm weight, chuckled low in his chest. “That’s the way these things go, son. I had to wait four hours for your mother to show up.”
I shot him a look. “All I hear in that story is that Carter and I almost didn’t happen.”
Gray’s laugh cracked wide, full of warmth. “But I was happy to wait for her at the time.” His hand rested briefly on my shoulder. “And when Hudson walks down that aisle, you’ll smile and look just as happy to wait for him.”
“So freaking happy,” I muttered, though my chest tightened with every passing minute. My heart felt like it was dragging me forward, restless, anxious, begging for him.
A sudden burst of laughter carried across the grass, and then Ivy came running, her purple cast wrapped in lace to match her flower girl dress. She was radiant, curls bouncing, cheeks pink, the tiny ring glinting on her finger like she’d been waiting her whole life to wear it.
“Daddy!” she squealed, skidding to a stop and holding her skirt out for me to see. “Is my dress pwetty?”
My throat closed up. “Beautiful.” I bent down and straightened the hem. “You look like a princess.”
She blinked up at me. “Where’s other Daddy? I need to show him my dress.”
“On his way,” I promised, praying the words didn’t crack. “He’ll be here soon.”
“Going to find Nana!” She smiled, satisfied, and darted off in Mom’s direction.
A crunch of footsteps announced Rowan, who looked immaculate in a tailored cream halter waistcoat that nipped smartly at the waist, paired with wide-legged trousers that skimmed the floor.
The ensemble was sharp yet fluid, equal parts runway and wedding chic.
Gold hoops gleamed at his ears, and a delicate chain caught the light at his throat, the whole look pulling together with that effortless flair that always made Rowan appear as though he’d stepped out of a glossy magazine spread.
“The groom is ready,” he declared, voice rising with enough drama to make half the guests chuckle. “Places, everyone. Time to make magic happen.”
The land stretched wide around us, the place I had chosen to build our home.
The view swept over the valley, the late sun turning the fields gold, the mountains standing steady and silent at our backs.
Wildflowers dotted the edges where Cameron had tucked blooms into hand-tied bundles, simple but perfect.
A wooden arch, rough-hewn and strung with greenery, framed the spot where we would say our vows.
Our circle was small. Dad and Ozzie. Mom, regal as always.
Cameron, arms folded, watching his flowers with sharp eyes.
Pastor Spencer, who we’d ended up choosing to officiate after Cameron vouched for him.
Gertie, beaming like the mother of the groom.
And, hurrying last minute with feathers in tow, Opie and Lawson.
The music—fiddle and guitar—strummed softly, and the procession began. Ivy stepped carefully, scattering petals from her little basket, her cast no hindrance to her pride. My chest ached watching her, my girl, my daughter, a gift from Hudson, doing this for us.
Then came the hen. Ms. Cluck strutted forward with a little ribbon tied to her leg, wings twitching nervously. For one blessed second, it looked like she might actually pull it off.
“Ms. Cluuuuck!” Ivy shrieked, eyes going wide. She dropped her basket and bolted straight down the aisle toward the hen.
The hen squawked in panic, flapping and darting away from her. Chaos erupted, guests trying not to laugh, Rowan muttering murderous things under his breath, Ivy chasing our failed experiment like a determined shepherd.
“A little humor in the day isn’t such a bad thing,” Dad said as Opie scooped up the bird as if it were a part of the act. With a sheepish grin, he walked her down the rest of the way, leading Ivy with his other hand.
“Sorry,” he whispered as he passed me. “But technically, it’s your girl’s fault.”
I didn’t respond. Couldn’t.
Because Hudson was there.
Walking toward me, each step steady, certain, like nothing in the world could pull him off course. I was struck by how handsome he was. He already knew how seeing him in a Stetson and dusty jeans got me all hot and bothered, but this polished version stole my breath.
My chest seized, and my vision blurred.
Dad’s hand appeared in front of me, pressing a handkerchief into my palm without a word.
“Thanks,” I mumbled and dabbed at my eyes.
Hudson reached me at last, his boots steady against the packed earth. He stopped in front of me, his eyes scanning my face like he was making sure I hadn’t fallen apart while waiting.
“Sorry, I had to make you wait,” he whispered, reaching for my hand. “I’ll explain later.”
I swallowed hard and nodded, clutching the handkerchief Dad had slipped me. “It’s okay. I’m happy to wait for you anytime.”
And I meant it.
Pastor Spencer stepped forward, his tone calm but carrying.
“Family, friends, we are gathered here not just to witness the vows of Hudson and Matty, but to join with them in the place where they will root their lives together. This land”—he gestured around us at the valley, the wildflowers edging the field, the mountains standing watch—“will not only be the ground they walk today, but the ground where their love will grow, where they’ll build their home and family. ”
I squeezed Hudson’s hand tighter, blinking fast as the words sank in. Pastor Spencer beckoned, and Cameron stepped forward with a small, hand-carved wooden box tied with ribbon. “Before the vows, they’ve chosen a simple act of grounding—literally. A keepsake to remind them where this family began.”
Hudson went first. He kneeled, pressing his fingers into the soft earth. He trembled as he lifted a handful, cradling it like something fragile before letting it fall into the box.
Then it was my turn. I crouched beside him, steady, my handful settling over his. Together, we closed the lid. Pastor Spencer laid a hand on it. “From this ground, roots will deepen. From this love, life will grow.” When he looked up again, his eyes softened. “Now, the vows.”
My throat went tight, but the words came.
“Hudson… you came into my life four years ago and turned it upside down. I’ve done a lot, but nothing ever felt right until we got together.
You give my life meaning. The ranch, Ivy, you—this is my home.
You’re my home. I promise patience, even when we argue.
Laughter, even when the days are hard. And always, always, a space for your heart in mine. ”
Hudson’s grip crushed mine, his eyes swimming. I nearly lost it just seeing him.
“You’re a terrible liar,” he said on a watery laugh. “You said your vows would suck, and that’s a lie.”
Everyone laughed.
“Papa, why are my daddies crying?” Ivy asked Dad.
“Because they’re happy, sweetheart.”
Hudson swallowed hard, his gaze direct with mine.
“I never thought I deserved a second chance with you. Truth is, I still don’t know if I do.
But I promise you this, Matty. I will love you every day I get, fiercely and faithfully.
I’ll guard your heart like it’s my own. I’ll cherish you, never take you for granted, and I’ll tell you every single day how much I love you, so you never have to doubt it.
“You loved me when I didn’t even know what love was, when I didn’t know what to do with it, when I was too broken to believe I could hold it. Thank you for giving me the space to grow, for showing me that everything I was searching for was right here, in you.
“There’s no man alive I’d rather raise our daughter with. No better partner, no better love, no better home than the one I’ve found in you.
“I love you, Matthias Magnuson. Today. Tomorrow. Always.”
Sniffles carried through the small crowd. I tuned out the noise and focused on Hudson. “I love you too, Huddlebug.”
Pastor Spencer nodded, solemn and gentle. “The rings, please.”
Opie guided Ivy forward, his hand tight around Ms. Cluck’s. Just in case. Ivy held the little pillow with utter seriousness, her cast tucked close.
“Good job, Ivy.” I ruffled her hair, and she beamed a smile. I took Hudson’s band and slid it on his finger. “With this ring, I promise to make you laugh, even when you’re the most stubborn man alive.”
Hudson’s lips trembled as he slid mine on. “And with this ring, I promise you’ll never doubt how loved you are. Not for a single day.”
Pastor Spencer’s voice lifted. “You have joined hands, exchanged vows, and bound yourselves not only to each other but to this land, your future. By the love you carry, I pronounce you partners. Hudson, Matty, you may now seal your vows with a kiss.”
Hudson didn’t hesitate. He hauled me in and kissed me hard, deep, nothing held back. Cheers erupted, blending with the sound of Ivy’s tiny voice. “My daddies!”
Laughter broke through tears, the sound pure joy.
Guests showered us with petals as we turned, hand in hand. Behind us, Cameron quietly set the little box of earth at the “altar.”
And with Hudson’s fingers locked in mine, I knew every word we’d spoken today would live in that soil, steady as the mountains, forever.